Italy Trip

Travel with Tri-S: Serve, Study, Share

Details:

March 5-13, 2027
Leader: Professor Brian McKenna

Open to Engineering students.
10 Student Spots
Transportation: ORD or IND Airport
Cost: $2,550 + airfare (estimated at $1,500)

Description:

This program will provide students with direct exposure to historically significant and technically sophisticated engineering systems in Italy. The itinerary focuses on the evolution of civil and structural engineering from ancient Roman infrastructure to Renaissance innovation, with a supplemental examination of modern challenges in water-based urban environments.

Students will engage with engineering works by examining how design constraints, materials, and societal needs shaped the development of large-scale infrastructure systems.

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

Describe key structural and hydraulic engineering principles observed in historical systems
Analyze how engineering solutions were influenced by available materials, construction methods, and environmental constraints
Compare ancient and Renaissance engineering approaches to modern design practices
Evaluate the challenges of maintaining and adapting infrastructure systems over long time periods
Reflect on the societal and cultural impact of major engineering works

Students can earn 1 credit in ENGR 3850 Engineering Projects Laboratory through participation in the Italy Engineering and Architecture trip. The course uses site visits and travel experiences to expose students to historical and modern engineering systems and practices. By taking the trip for credit, students have the option to use financial aid. Offered spring 2027.

Tentative Itinerary:

March 5: Departure from ORD or IND to Rome

March 6: Arrival in Rome

March 7: Ancient Rome (Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill; Trevi, Pantheon)

March 8: Aqueducts + Catacombs (Appian Way Ebike tour; Catacombs of Saint Callixtus)

March 9: Florence Day Trip (Duomo Cathedral Crypt; Florence Guided Tour)

March 10: Vatican City (Sistine Chapel; St. Peters tour; Museums)

March 11: Pompeii, Amalfi Coast, Positano Day Trip

March 12: Free Day in Rome

March 13: Departure

Payment Schedule – FAQs

Before submitting your Tri-S application, please review the payment schedule for credit and non-credit travel. All students who submit the Tri-S application are required to pay a $400 non-refundable deposit, regardless of credit or non-credit status. Your $400 non-refundable deposit is applied toward the cost of your trip. View the full Tri-S Payment FAQ with information about cancellations/refunds.